Investigators to search for possible victim in NH house explosion

SALEM, N.H. — Residents in a Salem, New Hampshire, neighborhood were forced from their homes Monday evening after an explosion and fire at a condemned property, and hours later investigators will search the rubble for a possible victim.

There was a dramatic turn of events that led up to the large explosion at the home, which has been condemned since 2015. Neighbors said police were called before the explosion because they saw a man who used to live at the location, potentially illegally.

As police surrounded the home they said they heard a hissing noise and smelled gas. They immediately backed away and moments later an explosion rocked the area.

The home’s roof was blown off and a fire tore through the property.

Some neighbors said there have been ongoing problems with the former resident.

“The guy, there’s a history with that guy in the neighborhood,” neighbor Gregg Sapochetti said. “He’s a troublemaker. He hasn’t been there for a long time, then just the other day I thought I saw the shades moving.”

Neighbors said they heard several popping sounds coming from inside the home, and investigators said that while ammunition may have been inside going off, no shots were fired.

Investigators hope to search the property Tuesday to figure out what caused the explosion and fire, and to find out if the man was inside the building at the time.

In a new conference Tuesday morning, fire officials said neighbors were allowed to re-enter their homes at their discretion. Officials said it was still too dangerous to send K-9s in to search the home.

According to officials, the Salem Health Department issued an evacuation notice to the house involved in 2015 after the house was deemed to be inhabitable.

Cox Media Group